2019 Saumaize -Michelin Pouilly-Fuisse VV, Burgundy, France (750ml)
After spending time in Paris, Alain Graillot returned home to his native Rhone Valley to pursue winemaking. He traveled to Burgundy and had the good fortune to study with Jacques Seysses of Domaine Dujac. Back in the Rhone, he founded his domaine in Crozes-Hermitage in 1985 and quickly became a star winemaker of the region admired for his impeccably made Syrahs.
The domaine covers 52 hectares of organically farmed vineyards mainly in Crozes-Hermitage with a small parcel in Saint Joseph. The grapes are harvested by hand and whole cluster fermented. He never uses new oak in any of his wines preferring to age them in a combination of 1-4 year old barrels. Since the 2008 vintage, Alain's son, Maxime, has taken over the day to day operation of the domaine and continued in his father's footsteps of crafting fine, age-worthy, very small production wines. Alain Graillot Syrahs are some of the finest and long-lasting in the Rhone Valley. They are also very limited so it's best to grab any bottles you can while they last! ~ Peter Granoff, Master Sommelier